William Rathbone Greg
William Rathbone Greg was an English essayist born in 1809 in Manchester, England, into a family notable for its contributions to industry and philanthropy. He was the son of Samuel Greg, the founder of Quarry Bank Mill, and had prominent siblings, including economist Robert Hyde Greg. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, Greg initially managed one of his father's mills before embarking on his own business endeavors. He emerged as a strong advocate for free trade, gaining recognition for his essay on the Corn Laws, which earned a prize from the Anti-Corn Law League in 1842. Transitioning to a literary career in 1850, he published influential works such as "The Creed of Christendom" and contributed to various leading journals. Greg was involved in government service, holding positions such as commissioner of customs and comptroller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. His philosophical writings, including collections like "The Enigmas of Life," reflect sincere explorations of social issues and governance. Greg passed away in 1881, leaving a legacy of thought-provoking essays and philanthropic interest, while his son, Percy Greg, took a different, more reactionary approach to political writing.
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William Rathbone Greg
Writer
- Born: 1809
- Birthplace: Manchester, Lancashire, England
- Died: November 15, 1881
- Place of death: Wimbledon, London, England
Biography
English essayist William Rathbone Greg was born in 1809 in Manchester, England. He was the son of Samuel Greg, who founded the historic Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire. His brothers were Robert Hyde Greg, a notable economist and antiquarian, and Samuel Greg, Jr., who became known for his philanthropic endeavors. Greg attended school at the University of Edinburgh. He managed one of his father’s mills in Bury, England, until 1832, when started his own business. He became a staunch advocate of free trade, and in 1842 he won a prize offered by the Anti-Corn Law League for the best essay on “Agriculture and the Corn Laws.” He left the business world in 1850 to concentrate on writing.
In 1851 Greg published The Creed of Christendom, and in 1852 he contributed articles to several leading quarterly journals. He received a commissionership of customs from Sir George Cornewall Lewis in 1856, and he was awarded the post of comptroller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office in 1864. Greg joined the Metaphysical Society and published several collections of essays on political and social philosophy, including The Enigmas of Life (1872), Rocks Ahead (1874), and Mistaken Aims and Attainable Ideals of the Artizan Classes (1876). His essays were sincere attempts to address the problems of existence and the philosophy of government. Greg was also interested in several philanthropic projects. He died in Wimbledon, London, on November 15, 1881. Greg’s son, Percy Greg, also wrote about politics, but unlike his father’s writings, Percy Greg’s work was reactionary than philosophical.